Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to lead 2032 Games venue review

• Former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk to lead independent review of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venue infrastructure
• The review will focus on the new and upgraded venues to ensure they deliver value for money and community benefit right across Queensland and starts today.
• Ken Kanofski and Michelle Morris have also been appointed to conduct the review and deliver an independent report to government within 60 days.

The 60-day venue infrastructure review has kicked off today, with Premier Steven Miles and Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace announcing former Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk will lead the review.

The review will be informed by targeted consultation and relevant advice from a broad range of stakeholders.

It will include both major sports venues (the Gabba and the Brisbane Arena) and the program of new and upgraded minor sports venues.

The review will assist the Queensland Government in assessing infrastructure investments to be made against key criteria, including:

• Value for money;
• Fit-for-purpose;
• Deliverability; and
• Community legacy.

Findings will be provided to the Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace on Monday 18 March.

The Miles Government will also establish a delivery authority for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympic Games which will be operational towards the middle of this year.

Queenslanders are invited to have their say by emailing their feedback to:  venuereviewfeedback@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“We want to deliver a Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games that brings Queenslanders together and creates legacy benefits for decades to come.

“The Games are a chance for us to unite, but it has become divisive.

“I’m determined to end the division and bring people together, which is why I’ve committed to this 60-day review and establishing a delivery authority.

“The mission is simple, make sure the Games work for Queensland and delivers for Queenslanders.

“Graham Quirk enjoys great community respect and oversaw the development of the Prefeasibility and Feasibility Studies for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Ken Kanofski has strong infrastructure experience and Michelle Morris will harness her expertise in major international events as part of this review.

“We’re going to deliver value-for-money Games venues which benefit Queenslanders long after the Games are over, and the review will help us to achieve that.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“In the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games over the next decade, we’re going to see infrastructure investment on a vast scale throughout Queensland.

“This will deliver more economic activity, more jobs and legacy infrastructure that will benefit Queenslanders in coming decades.

“We need to make sure we get these infrastructure investments right and I look forward to receiving the report from these three eminent individuals.

“We’ve already said we’re not going to pre-empt the outcomes of this review, which I know will be carried out without fear or favour.”

Quotes attributable to Former Lord Mayor Mr Graham Quirk:

 “I am looking forward to working on the review with my fellow reviewers and meeting with stakeholders to capture their views. 

“This is important work for all Queenslanders which I am pleased to be a part of, having been involved from the inception of the idea of hosting the Games.”

To view the Terms of Reference for the independent review of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic venue infrastructure, visit Brisbane 2032 | State Development and Infrastructure.

 Panel member profiles

• Mr Quirk served as Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 2011 to 2019. During this time as Chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ) he oversaw the development of the Prefeasibility and Feasibility Studies for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He had previously served as Deputy Mayor and Infrastructure Chair in Brisbane City Council. Mr Quirk has previously been a member of the Infrastructure Australia Board and is currently a Member of the Board of Racing Queensland and Racing Australia. Among other roles he is also a Board Member of Unity Water.
• Mr Kanofski is a board chair and independent adviser to governments and the corporate sector. Mr Kanofski has 20 years of experience as a Chief Executive Officer in the NSW Government, including as CEO of Roads and Maritime Services and the Land and Housing Corporation. Mr Kanofski led the Independent Strategic Infrastructure Review for the NSW Government in 2023.
• Ms Morris is a Principal and Director of MI Global Partners which specialises in leading and partnering to deliver events, sport and place projects. MI Global's Olympic partnerships have included Tokyo 2020, Rio 2016, Sochi 2014, London 2012, Beijing 2008, and Athens 2004.  Their sport partners include the International Olympic Committee, World Rugby, Cricket Australia and Basketball Australia. Ms Morris has led and delivered technical bids for major internal events, such as securing the ICC T20 World Cup 2028 bid for Australia and New Zealand and the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 bid for Australia.

ENDS

Media contact: Martin Philip (Minister Grace) - 0407 675 008